Zao Takayu traditional kokeshi dolls

Yamagata

Kokeshi dolls are simple wooden toys in human form, and have been produced in the Tohoku region of Japan for many centuries. The dolls are made by attaching a round head to a cylindrical torso made on a wheel, and decorating the torso with simple colors. The kokeshi dolls of this region have a thick torso decorated with paintings of chrysanthemums and safflowers, and slightly rounded shoulders, and also feature a distinctive large head inserted into the body.